McLaren, Cosmos upset
The National, Tuesday July 15th, 2014
By HENRY MORABANG
TWO major upset were recorded in the Port Moresby men’s Super League Soccer Challenge at Bisini Soccer ground on Sunday.
In the main game on ground two, Blue Kumuls stunned pre-match favourites Maclaren, 2-1, in the biggest upset of the weekend while earlier on, Sea Eagles beat Cosmos 3-2.
The Kumuls started off with some good passages of play before former international Enoch Abraham scored after latching on to a good pass from evergreen midfielder Desmond Waku to score.
It was end to end action for the remainder of the half as McLaren fought hard to impose themselves on the game
In the second half, Maclaren took more chances looking for the equaliser only to see the Kumuls’ Ricky Belden setting Steven Kauru for their second goal.
McLaren scored a goal but could not break down the stubborn blue wall.
Blue Kumuls defended the one goal lead till full time to win 2-1
The Vabukori-based Sea Eagles led by two-goal hero Ila Roa played enthusiastic football with Avan Lahui, Raka Allan, Mari Geno, Paul Lindsay and Raka Taviri all having a hand in an allround performance.
Sea Eagles, who are sponsored by Global Construction, got off first with Taviri opening the scoring in the third minute.
It was a chess match of move and counter move for the next 18 minutes until Gari Moka levelled in the 21st minute.
But Roa scored his the first goal of the match to help the Sea Eagles lead 2-1 at the break.
In the second half, Cosmos foundd the net in the 46th minute through Matthew Russel but two minutes later, Roa picked up his double to regain the lead 3-2.
Both teams played strongly until the final whistle.
The loss will be hard for Cosmos to take given that they have some season campaigners in their ranks in captain Sammy Misirait, Saki Kiapin, Godfrey Dobbin and Simon Ealadona.
Cosmos were just beaten by a team that wanted victory more than they did.
The Sea Eagles women also won their Super League match against against Maclaren 3-0.
In the other match played on Sunday, a young Mungkas team held University to a scoreless draw.
On Saturday, Rapatona sent Golo back to the drawing board to come prepared next weekend with a 3-0 win, while Yamaros gunned down champions Momase 2-0. In the other women’s matches, Mungkas were on fire thrashing Yamaros 8-0 and Rapatona edged out Guria 1-0.